Advertising device



Jan@- 20, 1942. L. v. Mc-LAUCHLIN 2,270,377

ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed May 21, 1940 Patented Jan. 20, 1942 ADVERTISING DEVICE Laurence V.' McLauchlin, Detroit,l Mich., assignor to National Display Ads,` Inc., Madison, Wis., a f corporation oi Wisconsin Application May 21, 1940, Serial No. 336,465

(Cl. Lill-132) 16 Claims.

The present application relates to a sign display device and more particularly to a display device for displaying advertising panels from the top of an automobile, such as a taxicab and novel means for securing the same to the top.

Devices for displaying advertising matter have heretofore been proposed for use on vehicle tops but have not gone into general use because of their unsightly appearance and the inability to satisfactorily secure them to the top without injury to the top.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a satisfactory display device for use on the top of an automobile.

A still further objectlof this invention resides in providing a simple inexpensive casing for receiving, supporting and displaying printed advertising panels.

Another object of this invention resides in providing a panel supporting casing with a panel receiving groove formed by inwardly bent portions of the side walls.

Still another object of the present invention resides in supporting an advertising panel inwardly from the side wall openings of a protective casing and providing electric illuminating means on opposite sides of said panel above the side Wall openings to conceal the lights from view and protect them from the elements. A further object of the present invention re- 30 sides in providing a substantially closed, box-like panel display device With side display openings of a length and Width substantially less than the panel and a normally closed, weather-tight slot in the top permitting insertion of the advertising 35 panel.

Other objects will appear from the description when read in connection with the appended claims and attached drawing wherein:

of the present invention looking toward the rear of the casing; and

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view through the novel securing means of my invention.`

With continued reference to the drawing wherein like reference numerals indicate the same part throughoutthe several gures, numeral ID designates a display device or case made in accordance with this'invention. Display device IIl is adapted to be secured to the top II of an automobile I2 a fragmental showing of which is included in Figure 1.

While any suitable means may be .employed to secure case I0 to top II, it is preferable to employ some means which will not penetrate top II so as to avoid the possibility of forming a potential source of leakage or marring the nish. A satisfactory means of this character comprises specially formed large size suction cups I3 secured to the bottom wall I4 of casing I0 by means of bolts I5 cast integral with the bottom of casing I0 and nuts I6 molded in the top of cup I3.

In order to permanently fasten casing I0 to top ll, the ordinary adhesive ability of these special suction cups is suicient if the vacuum is effectively maintained. To this end, the present invention contemplates coating the interior of cups I3 with a comparatively thin coating of cement Il. Asuitable cement for this purpose consists in the common rubber cements obtainable on the open market. After the cement is applied and allowed to dry until slightly tacky, casing I0 is located in proper position on top II and suction cups i3 are compressed in the ordinary manner to discharge the air. After a short time the cement becomes set and eifectivelyseals the edges of cups I3 and maintains the maximum vacuum for an indenite length of time. As a matter of Figure 1 is a Side emvational View of the top 40 fact actual tests have shown that these cups of an automobile showing the display case of the present invention in assembled relation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the display case of Figure 1 with the oval slot closing means removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the display case of Figure 1 showing it in relation to the top, a portion of which is illustrated in section;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged transverse s'ectional views taken respectively on lines 4 4, 5 5 and 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figure 4 but taken through a modified form as when treated and applied in this manner fasten casing IU so securely that it can be removed only by punctnring the cup with a large hypodermlc needle and injecting a suitable cement solvent for dissolving the cement.

Since the present day automobile tops are metal vin'th a highly painted nish, this manner of securing casing I0 obviates the necessity of perforating the top and eliminates the possibility of marring the iinish upon removal of casing Ill.

While casing I0 may be formed in any desired manner, it is preferably formed from a single metal casting providing an elongated panel display compartment 25 and a shallow transversely extending chamber 26 disposed at one end of compartment 25 forming a crosspiece. In forming casing I0, a slot 21, openings 28 and 29 and side openings 3| are formed during the casting operation. Spaced longitudinal ribs 32 are formed on the interior of bottom Wall 33 and form between them a panel receiving groove 34. Casing I on either side of slot 21 is arched to provide a transversely curved top 35.

After casing l0 is formed, opening 28 is closed by a translucent panel 36 bearing the name of the taxicab. Panel 36 is positioned in opening 28 on the ledge 31 formed around opening 28 during the casting operation and is held in place by a metal molding frame 38 secured in place by screws or the like (not shown) threaded into ledge 31.

A suitable electric cable 40 is secured to a side wall 4| of casing I0 and is provided with a plug connection 42 designed to be plugged into the usual vacancy indicator or name illuminating socket 43 provided in the top of taxicabs. Cable 4U carries three feed wires 44, 45 and 46. Wire 44 is connected to a grounded socket 41 adapted to receive an electric bulb 48 for illuminating panel 36.

Wire 45 is in turn connected to an automatic flasher socket 49 secured to a housing 5|] comprising a relatively thick base member and an open-work bulb shroud 52. Housing 50 is designed-to cover opening 29 and is secured to casing I0 in any suitable manner such as spot welding. A bulb 53 is secured in socket 49 and is designed for use as a signal to indicate to persons on the street that the cab is vacant. The member 5| of housing 50 is provided with a rearwardly slanting threaded opening 54 for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

Wire 46 preferably extends rearwardly along an upper corner of compartment 25, around the rear end of the compartment and forwardly ,along the upper corner of compartment 25. At suitable intervals along its length wire 46 is connected to grounded sockets 55 designed to receive bulbs 56 for illuminating faces of panels 51 bearing advertising indicia exposed to view through openings 3|. As shown in Figure 4, panels 51 are arranged in back-to-back relation with their bottom edges disposed in groove 34 and their upper edges in slot 21. If desired, the inner face of arched top may be highly polished so as to function as a reflector to flood-light the exposed faces of panels 51.

While panels 51 may be of any suitable construction, they preferably are formed of heavy cardboard or thin wood capable of withstanding the elements for a considerable length of time. The indicia are also preferably printed or painted on the faces of panels 51 with suitable weatherresistant ink or paint commonly used for the printing and painting of outdoor signs. Since panels made in this manner do not have to be protected from the weather, it is not necessary to close openings 3| and the cost of manufacturing the display cases are, therefore, considerably reduced.

Panels 51 are positioned in groove 34 by inserting them through slot 21. After the panels are positioned, an oval cover 6|ris placed over slot 21. Cover 6| is preferably held in place by a threaded screw element 62 having a tip 63 designed to cooperate with a sloping opening in front face 64 of cover 6| and a head screw 65 threaded into an opening 66 in the rear portion of casing l0. As clearly shown'in Figure 5, screw cover 6| and the oval shape of the cover, rain and melting snow and ice are carried away from slot 21 and the electric wiring and sockets are protected against injury from the rain and water. In order that water entering casing l0 through side openings 3| may be eliminated, bottom portions 33 preferably slope slightly toward the edges which are provided with drainage seams 69.

Figure 'I illustrates a modified form of casing lila. Casing |0a is made of sheet metal and includes many of the elements of casing I0. The same reference numerals are accordingly applied thereto and a detailed description of these elements will be omitted at this point. The principal dilerence in Figure 7 resides in the formation of the panel receiving groove 34a and the use of a single panel 10 having indicia on its opposite faces.

Casing la is formed from a suitable sheet metal blank by use of suitably formed dies. Slot 21, openings 28 and 29, and side openings 3| are punched out in well known manner. In this connection, suicient metal is left attached to the lower portion of the side walls of casing 25 so as to form portions 32a the inner edges of which are bent at 1| to form longitudinally extending tabs 12. Portions 32a are then bent inwardly at 13 so as to dispose tabs 12 in a substantially vertical plane to form panel receiving groove 34a and cause portions 32a to slope downwardly toward the side walls. A portion of the metal at the opposite ends of openings 3| is left attached to the top edge of openings 3| and is bent inwardly to form relatively narrow tabs 14 at the ends of openings 3|. The inner ends of tabs 14 are preferably bent back at 15 to form short, angularly disposed tips 16 forming between them upwardly and outwardly flared panel guide openings 11.

After the blank is punched and bent in this manner the die press is operated to bend the marginal portions 18 inwardly into contact with the edges of tabs 12. The blank is then bent longitudinally of slot 21 to form the arched top 35. In this bending step, the blank is bent until the edges of portions 18 are in abutting relation. This butting engagement automatically gauges the curvature of top 35 and the width of groove 34a.

Portions 32a, as will be clear from Figure '1, serve to deect rain, melting snow and ice away from groove 34a to the outside of casing Illa. As a consequence, the amount of Water reaching the interior of casing |0a is materially reduced. Furthermore, since the edges of portions 18 are merely abutting, a longitudinal drainage seam 19, exaggerated as shown in Figure 7, is automatically formed.

In assembling panel 10, the panel is inserted through slot 21 and its end portions engage tips 16 of guide openings 11 and position the panel for proper assemblage in groove 34a. The panel is then pressed downwardly into groove 34a and 34a and tabs-14'. By making grooves 34a and the distance between tabs 14 sufiiciently close to the thickness of panel "lll, it will be seen that the panel will be securely supported and prevented from rattling. It is, of' course, possible to use this modification with panels l orto substitute a'single panel 10. in the modication of Figures l to 6. If desired, drain openings 69 may be provided in members `33v to drain the Water out of casing Illa.

Itis to, be understood that in all forms of the invention' disclosed, light 50 may be raised with respect to cover 6I, so that it may also be seen from the rear, Without departing from the spirit of the invention. v

The invention may be embodied in otherspecic forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are` therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims f are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An automobile advertising display structure comprising an automobile body structure including a top, a substantially T-shaped casing disposed on said top with the crosspiece disposed adjacent the front thereof and adapted to display the cab name and the stem extending rearwardly along the top to form a narrow, elongated, longitudinally extending chamber having elongated, aligned openings in its longitudinal side walls and means at the top forming a passage for the insei-tion of a display panel; means for securing said casing to said top; at least one panel, bearing advertising indicia, disposed in said casing with the indicia exposed to vew through said openings; electrical lighting means disposed above said openings and on opposite sides of said passage for illuminating the exposed indicia; and a removable weather exclusion member for preventing the entrance of rain, snow and the'like through said passage whereby said electrical means is protected from the elements.

2. A device for displaying advertising panels upon the tops of automobiles comprising a sheet metal casing formed from a single piece of metal and including a centrally disposed, longitudinally extending groove formed along the inner face of its bottom wall for receiving an edge of an indicia bearing paneL a slot extending longitudinally of the top wall for receiving the opposite edge of said panel, openings in the opposite side walls of said casing for exposing said indicia to the view of persons at opposite sides of said vehicle and a removable weather exclusion member for preventing the entrance of rain, snow and the like through said slot.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said groove is formed from the metal removed to form the side openings and comprises downward extensions of inwardly,` longitudinally extending portions slo-ping Vupwardly from their juncture with said side walls to provide means for deflecting rain, snow or the like from the interior of said casing. h

4, Apparatus for displaying advertising panels from the tops of automobiles comprising, a casing for receiving said panels, said casing having means for securing it to an automobile top and having a bottom 'wall designed to substantially conform to thecontour of the automobile top, a

wall oppositesaid bottom wall and containing a slot for insertion of said panels, side walls having openings for exposing said -panels to view, electric lamps concealed by said side walls for illuminating said panels: and removable means for closing said slot against entrance of rain, snow and the like.

5. Apparatus adapting taxicab roofs for advertising purposes comprising a substantially T- v shaped casing secured to the top with the crosspiece at the frontto support the casing against overturning moments, an advertising' panel and means supporting it vertically in the stem portion of the casing, said casing having longitudinally extending openings in the side walls of the stem for displaying printed said advertising panel and a transversely extending translucent name panel in the crosspiece, said casing being designed to conform to the contour of the roof and including concealed illuminating means for lighting said panels.

6. A one piece metal casing for supporting and illuminating advertising panels comprising a substantially 'T-shaped bottom Wall; a transverse chamber of substantial width defined by the enlarged end of said bottom wall and side, front and top walls and having a translucent indicia bearing panel in its front Wall; a narrow elongated longitudinal chamber dened by the stem portion of said bottom wall and side and top Walls and having an opening in each side wall for displaying advertising "indicia and a slot in its top wall adapted for insertion of a panel; a panel bearing advertising indicia disposed Within saidelongated chamber `with said indicia visible through said openings; means forclosing said slot to prevent entrance of rain and snow and concealed illuminating means for'illuminating said translucent panel and said advertising indicia.

'7. A casing for supporting and illuminating indicia bearing means adapted to be read from opposite sides of said casing comprising a bottom Wall, end walls, a top wall having a slot for insertion of said means, side walls having openings therein for exposing said indicia, means for receiving and supporting said indicia bearing means, said receiving and supporting means comprising inwardly extending portions of said side walls adapted to receive and engage spaced portions of said indicia bearing means and retain it in predetermined position within said casing, and illuminating means concealed from direct view in said casing for illuminating said indicia.

8. The combination defined in claim '7 wherein said indicia bearing means comprises at least one indicia bearing panel and said inwardly extending portions comprise integral portions of said side walls bent to form a longitudinally extending groove for receiving and engaging a longitudinal marginal portion of said panel.

9. The combination defined in claim '7 wherein said indicia bearing means comprises at least one indicia bearing panel and said inwardly extending portions comprise integral portions of said side walls bent to form a longitudinally extending groove and vertically and longitudinally spaced panel engaging tabs for receiving and engaging opposite longitudinal marginal portions of said panel.

10. A supporting and illuminating casing for displaying an indicia bearing panel from the top of an automobile comprising a bottom wall; means on said bottom wall for securing the casing to the top of an automobile; upstanding spaced side walls extending longitudinally of said top and having openings for exposing the indicia on said panel to view from both sides of the automobile; end walls; a top wall having a longitudinally extending, centrally disposed slot for insertion of said panel; means adjacent the bottom wall and in alignment with said slot for receiving an edge of said panel to retain it in upright position between said side walls with the indicia exposed to view through said side openings; means for illuminating said panel disposed above said side openings and in the space defined by the dihedral angles formed by the intersection of said top wall and said side walls; and means for closing said slot against the entrance of the elementsfor protectingr said illuminating means.

11. A display case for use in displaying advertising panels from the top of a taxicab comprising a substantially T-shaped casing having longitudinal side openings in its stern for displaying said advertising panels and a transverse panel bearing the name of the taxicab company in the crosspiece; a longitudinally extending, centrally located groove adjacent the bottom of said casing for receiving an edge of an advertising panel, said groove being formed by inwardly bent portions of the metal pressed out in forming said side openings; means cooperating with said groove to retain said panel in an upright position; a longitudinally extending slot in the wall opposite said groove for insertion of an advertising panel; an advertising panel disposed in said groove in position to be viewed through said side openings; electrical illuminating means disposed on opposite sides of saidpanel and above the side openings for illuminating the opposite faces of said panel; and an oval cover member adapted to overlap said slot with its lowermost edges below the plane of said slot whereby the rain, snow, or the like is deflected away from the slot and the electrical illuminating means is effectively protected against the elements.

12. The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said inwardly bent groove forming portions slope upwardly from the lower edge of said side openings and serve to deect rain, snow or the like outwardly from the interior of said casing.

13. The combination dened in claim 11 wherein the means cooperating with said groove to support said panel comprises opposed, inwardly bent tabs formed at the opposite ends of the upper edges of said side openings.

14. An advertising device comprising a housing having spaced elongated side walls provided with opposed openings, a top Wall connecting said side walls and provided with a slot for the insertion of an advertising panel, supporting means between said side walls for locating and supporting an advertising panel, an advertising panel seated in said supporting means and having its upper portion located by the walls of said slot, means preventing the entrance of moisture into the housing through said slot, and means in said housing for illuminating the panel.

15. Apparatus adapting a vehicle roof for advertising purposes comprising at least one panel, bearing indicia on its opposite faces, means supporting said panel in Vertical position and adapted to be secured longitudinally of said vehicle roof, said means comprising a structure surrounding said panel and having openings in its sides for viewing said panel, a crosspiece at its front end including a transparent element Visible from the front of the vehicle, spaced means on the crosspiece for securing said structure to said vehicle roof; and illuminating means carried by said structure operable to illuminate said transparent element and both sides of said panel.

16. Apparatus adapting a vehicle roof for advertising purposes comprising an advertising panel, a structure supporting said panel in vertical position and adapted to be secured longitudinally to a vehicle roof, said structure surrounding said panel and being provided with openings in its sides for viewing the panel, a crosspiece at the front end of said structure, said crosspiece having a transparent element visible from the front of the vehicle, means adjacent the ends of the crosspiece and adjacent the rear of said structure operable to secure said structure to the vehicle roof, and lighting means on each side of said panel and to the rear of said transparent element whereby said panel and element are illuminated.

LAURENCE V. MCLAUCHLIN.

CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,270,577. January 20, 19m.

LAURENCE V. MCLAUCHLIN.

It is he reby certi fi ed that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first Column, line LIE, before "upper" insert other page 5, first column, line 2, for "grooves" read --groove; line LIZ, claim l, for "Vew" readl -view; and seco nd column, line 18, claim 5, strike out the word "printed" and same line, after "panel" insert a comma; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this Correction therein that the same may eo nform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signe d and sealed this 5rd day of March, A. D. l9lp2.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patent s. 

